. >> we have massive deficits, a big tax increase that no apparent willingness to get governnt off people's backs by reducing government spending, and all of that is a heavy, heavy weight on the private sector. firms around the nation are sitting on cash instead of creating jobs. >> reporter: on wednesday the commerce department announced economic growth actually fell to a-10% the last three months of last year, the chairman of the president's council of economic advisers says other indicators remain positive. >> consumer spending increased. business investment. residential construction. >> reporter: the jobs report showed a larger number of people dropped out of the labour force than down jobs. a former administration economist says some of that is to be expected. >> the population is aging, so we expect to have a fair number of people retiring every month for the next ten years or more as the baby boomers retire. >> reporter: the conference board reports a sharp increase in the number of older workers considering delaying retirement, which could make it more difficult for young people to